Scuba diving in Cozumel offers everything from abundant marine life to wicked wrecks-turned-reefs. Known as one of the drift diving capitals of the world, Cozumel’s claim to fame is totally justified. It also has a lot of sites for more intermediate-level divers.
This small island lies just off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Cozumel diving is spectacular for several reasons. First, 85% of these waters are protected, and second, the North Equatorial Current runs persistently along the island’s west side, flowing over the island’s dive sites at a speed of anywhere from one to six knots.
These swift currents not only make for exciting drift dives, but also tend to wash the reefs clean of algae and debris, keeping them in fantastic condition. This means that Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park positively teems with lush marine life, including the splendid toadfish.
Get the most out of diving in Cozumel with a stay at one of these charming dive resorts, then wake up each morning and head to the dive boat for a morning on the reef. Here are our picks for the top 12 sites you just can’t miss when you’re scuba diving in Cozumel.
By: Torben Lonne
We gave our dive team one job:
Find the best and most popular dive sites in Cozumel
Here you go, now you should be all set for your next dive trip to Cozumel.
Palancar Horseshoe should sit atop your bucket list of Cozumel dive sites. The Palancar Reef stretches over a winding 3.5 miles (5.6 km), and the horseshoe component comes from a particular feature along the wall made up of a U-shaped protrusion. Starting at a depth of 40 feet (12 m) and running to 80 feet (24 m), this site includes tunnels and swim-throughs. Palancar Horseshoe is perfect for beginners who are starting to master buoyancy.
Things to See:
Covering this stretch of reef, you’ll be astounded by corals of all colors, sizes, and species. The special highlights are the star, sheet and brain corals that adorn this wall. Glassy sweepers hang out in the shady swim-throughs, and stunning creole wrasse dance in midwater. Immerse yourself in the massive schools of brown and blue chromis swimming just above the reef itself.
By far one of the most popular deep dive sites in Cozumel, Santa Rosa Wall features a towering wall starting at 30 feet (9 m) and disappearing into the abyss. Strong currents are typical at this site, so divers should gain advanced certification before visiting.
Things to See:
Along the reef, you can experience all species of coral from enormous yellow sponges to mountains of greater starlet and boulder brain corals. Coming up from the deep, horse-eye jacks may come to greet you or some curious great barracudas may swim nearby. Look out into the deep blue and you may see a spotted eagle ray or hawksbill turtle gliding silently into the shallows.
Literally named after the formerly white house found on the beach, but locally referred to as “Jurassic Park,” Casa Blanca deserves a spot in the top three dive sites of all Cozumel. More than 500 species of fish and creatures gather here including an astounding three species of turtle: the hawksbill, green, and loggerhead turtles.
Things to See:
Venture onto the reef, gently drift with the current, and watch the greatest show on earth unfold. This dive site is teeming with life, from spotted eagle rays and southern stingrays to giant green moray eels, Caribbean reef lobsters, groupers, snappers and many more. Multiple shark species also show up at this site, including nurse and reef sharks and the elusive but exhilarating bull shark.
A must-see for divers with a “lust for rust,” the 154-foot (47 m) Felipe Xicotencatl has a long history, having served in World War II as a minesweeper, followed by a stint in the Mexican Navy patrolling the Caribbean Sea, and then finally donated to the Chankanaab Park to be purpose-sunk in 1992. Sitting on the sandy bottom at 80 feet (24 m), this wreck is a must-see for divers with at least 10-15 dives under their weight belt.
Things to See:
With a standard 90 feet (27 m) of visibility, you’ll see this wreck almost immediately upon your descent. Those with wreck qualifications can penetrate the ship and explore the engine room, the hold, and the wheelhouse. All divers will be mesmerized by the large schools of glassy sweepers and glass-eye snappers. And be sure to look out for the green moray eel that has made its home in the bunk room. Insider bonus—remember to bring your torch so you can clearly see the sponges and hard corals growing on the inside and outside of this beautiful wreck.
Just a five-minute swim from shore, this dive site is especially appropriate for divers looking to get acquainted with Cozumel waters. With impressive visibility of 80 feet (24 m) on a regular basis, this dive site is a great experience on both day and night dives.
Things to See:
Paradise Beach offers a stunning fringing reef adorned in hard and soft corals of vibrant colors. Swimming among the tube corals you can see French and gray angelfish and schools of princess parrotfish in action as they patrol the reef. At night you can watch Caribbean reef lobsters and clinging crabs emerge from their holes looking for some dinner.
Expect crazy, vast visibility at Barracuda Reef, sure to be a highlight of your diving trip to Cozumel. But be warned—this dive is not for the fainthearted. Located on the north side of the island, Barracuda Reef features a steep wall starting from a mere 30 feet (9 m) to over 3000 feet (915 m). Strong currents are usually blowing at this site so it is almost always a roaring drift dive.
Things to See:
Because of the wild currents, Barracuda Reef is a seldom-visited site and falls in the category of “nearly pristine.” With visibility of up to 150 feet (46 m), this dive site features valleys, mountains, and plains. Drift along this site and let the green, hawksbill or loggerhead turtles approach you. Or watch as a spotted eagle ray, reef or nurse shark swims effortlessly by. Of course, as the site’s name implies, schooling barracuda patrol the top of the reef, always on the hunt for their next meal.
Palancar Caves is yet another amazing site along the lengthy Palancar Reef. At a maximum of 90 feet (27 m), this dive site features swim-throughs, tunnels and caves providing shelter to reef fish and creating an awesome underwater playground for divers to enjoy.
Things to See:
Palancar Caves features walls absolutely covered in gorgonians and purple sea fans and maze, brain and greater starlet corals. Swim through these caverns and experience the magic of the light as it dances around you. Look for the vibrant colors of blue tang, sergeant majors, trumpetfish, foureye butterflyfish and yellowtail damselfish, not to mention parrotfish schools of all sizes.
Palancar Gardens is yet another section of the Palancar Reef that is a must-see when it comes to diving in Cozumel. Reaching a maximum depth of 130 feet (40 m) this wall is perfect for the intermediate diver looking for a casual drift dive.
Things to See:
During your descent, you will literally pass through schools of blue and brown chromis as well as stunning creole wrasse to reach this outstanding and colorful reef. Starting at 33 feet (10 m), this wall then descends into the deep. Drift along and look for scorpionfish and flounders casually camouflaging themselves, or peep between the little cliffs to spot huge clinging crabs and Caribbean reef lobsters.
Reaching a maximum depth of 60 feet (18 m), this exciting dive site usually experiences a strong current and is best for experienced drift divers. A dive here usually usually begins at Yucab, with a swift drift to Tormentos.
Things to See:
At this thriving reef, you can see heads of massive corals reaching up to 30ft (9 m) in height. Look for the tunnels and overhangs where you can find large schools of blue-and-yellow-striped French grunts. Divers often also see French and gray angelfish, nurse sharks, and black groupers. Often sighted here are French and gray sngelfish, nurse dharks, and black groupers. Keep your eyes peeled at this site in particular for the famed splendid toadfish.
Ever wanted to dive a cenote? If so, take a break from the reef life and add a dive at Aerolito de Paraiso to your logbook. This cenote, or deepwater limestone sinkhole, is very easily accessible at just five minutes’ drive from downtown. Only accessible to advanced divers with a mastery of buoyancy or specialty cave divers, this is truly a unique diving experience.
Things to See:
Slip into the emerald pool and descend into the cenote. Starting through a narrow doorway at 50 feet (15 m), the canyon shortly becomes wide and dark, with a depth exceeding 3,000 feet (914 m). While resident crocodiles do lounge on the surface, underwater you’ll find a mystical world waiting to be explored. Juvenile barracudas, sea stars and slipper lobsters all live in this protected water.
Just as with most other Cozumel dives, Punta Tunich features a persistent, strong current. Starting at 65 feet (20 m), this drift dive begins in a wide, flat, and sandy area, before you descend onto a nearly vertical wall. Glide along while you appreciate the jaw-dropping scenery and watch the marine life appear as you float by.
Things to See:
Gently drift over this fringing reef and wall, watching valleys of sandy bottoms followed by ridges of corals. You can find beautiful sea fans, gorgonians and sea whips reaching up from the reef and swaying in the currents. Look for French grunts along with many colors and species of damselfish. In the sandy valleys, you may see some garden eels or jawfish poking their heads out into the current looking for some lunch.
Also known locally as “Colombia Regular” this dive site features a stunning wall, over 100 feet (30 m) deep. This site has almost everything Cozumel scuba diving is know for, including a cave, tunnels, lots of overhangs, and an abundance of big fish.
Things to See:
Drift through this dive site and explore the exciting underwater topography. Look for great barracudas and creole wrasse hanging in the midwater. Schools of surgeonfish often create streams of blue across the populated reefs. Green and hawksbill turtles are common and divers occasionally spot the graceful spotted eagle ray. The highlight of this dive, however, is to appreciate the towering coral pillars that are hundreds of years old.
